Stopping and retaining device for chain or wire

Abstract

A device stops and retains a clamp on a wire. The device is mounted above a surface, which is preferably a deck of a vessel. The device comprises a fork that can engage with the clamp. The fork has a pair of teeth defining an opening therebetween, and the opening has a bottom. The fork has a first effective locking height defined between the bottom and the surface and height intended for retaining a wire lying within a first size range. The fork also has a second effective locking height defined above the surface and intended for retaining a wire lying within a second size range which is smaller than said first size range. The second locking height is greater than the first locking height, relative to the surface. The fork includes at least one guide member for mounting and securing an insert, preferably U-shaped, in the opening between the fork teeth, said insert having a bottom defining said second locking height. Optionally, the fork teeth have holes through which a locking bolt can be inserted. Preferably, the clamp comprises one or more wedges secured to the wire, such as a wedge having a vertical profile in the shape of a triangle or a wedge having a vertical profile in the shape of rectangular steps.

What is claimed is:  
     
       1. A device for stopping and retaining a clamp on a wire, wherein the device is mounted above a surface, the device comprising: 
       a fork having a pair of teeth defining an opening therebetween, the opening having a bottom, and wherein the fork opening can engage with the clamp;  
       the fork having a first effective locking height defined between the bottom and the surface, the first effective locking height intended for retaining a wire lying within a first size range;  
       the fork having a second effective locking height defined above the surface, the second effective locking height intended for retaining a wire lying within a second size range which is smaller than said first size range;  
       wherein the second locking height is greater than the first locking height, relative to the surface; and  
       wherein the fork includes at least one guide member for mounting and securing an insert in the opening between the fork teeth, said insert having a bottom defining said second locking height.  
     
     
       2. The device of  claim 1  wherein the device is mounted on a vessel, and the surface is a deck of the vessel. 
     
     
       3. The device of  claim 2  wherein the wire is intended to extend between the vessel and a wire terminal selected from the group consisting of: an anchor, an offshore platform, and another vessel. 
     
     
       4. The device of  claim 1  further comprising: 
       a lifting mechanism, such that the device may be raised or lowered in relation to the surface.  
     
     
       5. The device of  claim 1  wherein the insert is a U-shaped insert. 
     
     
       6. The device of  claim 1  wherein the bottom of the insert is spaced at a distance above the bottom of said fork opening. 
     
     
       7. The device of  claim 1  wherein the fork further includes a shoulder spaced at a distance above the bottom of the fork opening. 
     
     
       8. The device of  claim 7  wherein the guide member is tapered in a direction away from said shoulder. 
     
     
       9. The device of  claim 1  , wherein the four teeth have holes axially arranged therein, whereby a lock and bolt can be inserted through both the fork teeth holes. 
     
     
       10. The device of  claim 1  further comprising: 
       a pair of towing pins secured to the surface in a horizontal spaced away relation from the fork, wherein the wire extends through a space between the pair of towing pins.  
     
     
       11. The device of  claim 11  wherein the clamp comprises one or more wedges. 
     
     
       12. The device of  claim 11  wherein at least one of the one or more wedges has a vertical longitudinal profile in the shape of a triangle. 
     
     
       13. The device of  claim 11  wherein at least one of the one or more wedges has a vertical longitudinal profile in the shape of rectangular steps. 
     
     
       14. The device of  claim 11  wherein the clamp is locatable in the space between the pair of teeth. 
     
     
       15. The device of  claim 1  wherein one end of the wire forms a wire loop by adding the clamp to that end of the wire, the clamp being engageable with a mouth of the fork opening and the insert relative to the clamp.